Stealing Spree

Because of my increased ‘noticeability’, I found it hard wading through the hallways of the Club Building to reach the three clubs that I was going to pass by.

Every five steps, someone would block or call out to me. Since my identity was already common knowledge, I couldn’t act all snob, or tomorrow, I might get another title out of it.

Instead, I put on my normal, aloof, or just indifferent expression whenever someone would show up. That was effective to ward off their illusory enthusiasm. And before they could strike up a conversation, I would simply stretch my lips to the side, showing a gentle smile.

By the time they recovered, I already slipped away from their range.

To count, I got stopped twice before reaching the Literature Club. Four times on Book Club and nine times on Student Support Club.

The mental health that I restored through Shizu’s cuddles was chipped away bit by bit.

No wonder there are guys afraid of women. They sure do seem scary especially when they’re the type who wouldn’t want to be set aside. They aggressively flung themselves in front of me just to get my attention.

That could be a fulfilling fantasy for some… But for me, I only found them troublesome.

Thankfully, seeing my girls’ pretty faces and beautiful smiles healed and saved me from the rather torturous day I spent with this new appearance.

I made sure to express my gratitude before walking them to their bus stops or stations.

But because the rain still hadn’t let up, I also got to see them voicing out their concern about me.

Even though they chose different words or phrases, the message was the same. My girls want me to take care not to catch a cold from the rain. The rain lowered the temperature outside and our thick winter uniform was failing to ward off the cold.

To assure them, I bragged about not getting sick even though Mizuki embraced me tightly when she went down with a fever.

Alas, that backfired on my ass. They all scolded me and reminded me to take a cold medicine once I arrive home. Uh… They wanted me to apply the phrase ‘prevention is better than cure’ even if the context was wrong.

Nonetheless, I might as well do so… I mean that’s two instances, not just Mizuki but with Coach Ayu too. And now that I got exposed to this cold weather for too long because of going back and forth for them, preventing it was truly better than finding myself sick tomorrow.

Around the time I settled down on the train, I found the girls’ messages that also spoke of their reminders.

… Yep. They wouldn’t allow me to say I forget it.

But honestly, having a slew of girlfriends expressing their concerns to me like that already filled my chest with warmth. Feeling the heat on my face, I was probably even blushing while smiling in a silly way as I read and replied to their messages.

Unfortunately, it was in that state that someone I know found me.

“Onoda-senpai?” An uncertain voice called out from in front of me. She was squatting a little to inspect my face clearly.

Once I raised my gaze, I found Sumire, surprisingly in her school uniform today, peering over me.

She got startled and almost tumbled down on the floor if not for my reflex working to cushion her fall with my arms.

The girl failed to recover quickly. The culprit? My new look again.

It took the girl a full five seconds before helping herself up and taking the seat next to me, her face as red as an apple.

Even though my eyes weren’t focused on her, I could feel her gaze drilling on my cheek.

“Alright, don’t spew out laser beams on your eyes or my face will be toasted.”

“E-eh…? I’m sorry, senpai. I… I’m making sure that it’s you.”

“Well, I understand your reaction, can you imagine being stared at since this morning?”

Upon hearing that, I heard the girl gawking while the expression on her face turned from amazed to slightly terrified… “T-that’s a nightmare. But really, you looked totally different. Even more so… how should I say this? You look breathtakingly handsome when you’re blushing.”

“… Breathtakingly handsome? Come on, Sumire. Give me a break.”

Well, I focused more on the last part, I was blushing… Right.

With my phone out, she probably only thought that I was chatting with my girlfriend, Chii so she didn’t pry too much on it.

This girl was still afraid of that fake gyaru…

“Those are just the adjectives that rose in my mind when I wanted to describe you! Seriously, senpai… What happened to you?”

“I got a haircut?”

“And?”

“That’s it.”

“No way… You can’t be—” The girl tried to deny it but once she took another closer look at me and noticed nothing else changed except my hair, she gulped her words down.

For the rest of our ride and until she got off her station, I never heard her talking again. Her eyes remained fixated on me though.

Knowing the girl’s fanaticism, I thought she would be captivated by me and become my fan. Thankfully, that didn’t happen. I was overly assuming.

Actually, running into the girl today was something I didn’t expect…

Sumire was still trying to find out how I got Asahi or Yue’s voice recordings.

Although the answer was already obvious – that it was sent to me by the owner of that voice – the thought most likely eluded her mind.

Mabushisa Asahi is a well-known singer while I am a normal high school student.

But since she was silent throughout our time on the train, I unexpectedly got saved by this new look… What a twist, huh?

So, this hair also got me that kind of perk.

By the time the train started moving again, I received a message from the girl saying: “Senpai, you sly fox! I forgot to ask you again about Asahi!”

Not my fault, right?

Upon arriving home, I ceremoniously took the cold medicine and sent the video of me doing so to update those concerned girls.

Following that, I went into the bath with Akane, warming ourselves up to cast away the cold from the weather outside.

However, once we finished, I geared up to leave again.

My day is still not over yet.

I still have to pick up Yue from her unit. However, before doing so, I need to prepare something.

Thirty minutes later, I got off the train and started walking in a certain direction. The rain already stopped but the cold atmosphere was heightened by the coming of the night.

Yue needed a proper disguise so… I asked the one girl that was great at it. Ririka.

She’s going to let us borrow one of her wigs. I was going to pick that up at their house.

However, I had just left the train station when I spotted someone.

A girl in glasses was sitting down on a waiting shed with a stack of books on her side. She looked clearly annoyed because of the weather.

As soon as our eyes met, the girl promptly stood up. But the same as everyone else, she failed to recognize me right away.

Knowing the girl, my face naturally drew a smile and approached her. “Hmm? The rain has stopped. Are you going to wait there until the roads dry up? If you want… I can carry your books for you.”